Saint Stanislaus Papczynski — The Life and Writings

When a blessed is canonized, the faithful are given a new stim- ulus to sanctity and the assurance that theymay attain it by using — in similar circumstances — the means that saint used in his or her pursuit of holiness. Hence, efforts were made to have the Marians’ Founder canonized, because when his example of sanctity is officially approved by the Holy See, he will undoubtedly exert a greater sanctifying influence in the Church. The canonization of Stanislaus of Jesus and Mary is a mo- mentous event. It will be demonstrated that what he has to offer for our imitation and instruction is of great and urgent value to modern-day people; and that his doctrine and example may help the people of God heal their spiritual infirmities and better fulfill their Christian (and sometimes religious or priestly) vocations. Here are some remedies suggested by St. Stanislaus for some of the grave ills assailing present day society. 1. The invasion of atheism, materialism, secularism, and consumerism SAINT STANISLAUS’ ReMeDy: giving priority to the spiritual. He strongly promoted the call to sanctity for everyone (even lay people). According to the doctrine of Vatican II, all Christians, in whatever state of life, are called to sanctity. In agreement with this doctrine, in his book The Mystical Temple of God , St. Stanis- laus outlines an ascetical program addressed to all Christians, but especially to the laity, which was rare at that time. Speaking against atheism and secularism — which particularly plague our world today—Fr. Papczynski outlines the life of a Christian (who is a “mystical temple of God”), imbued with faith and the spirit of sacrifice for the love of God.